Odair Assad

The Brazilian-born brothers Sérgio and Odair Assad have set new standards for the guitar world with their innovation, ingenuity and expressiveness.  

They studied with the guitarist and lutenist Monina Távora (1921-2011), a pupil of Andrés Segovia. Their first performance together was in the fall of 1965 on the Brazilian television show Boussaude, where they played with the famous chôro composer Jacob do Bandolim. An international tour and a new recording will celebrate the 60th anniversary of DUO ASSAD in 2025. 

With their exceptional artistry and unsurpassable ensemble playing, the Assads have not only set new standards of performance, but have also played an important role in the creation and introduction of new music for two guitars. They come from a family rich in Brazilian musical tradition and on many occasions they have shared the stage with other highly talented family members. 

Their virtuosity has inspired a number of composers to write for them, including Astor Piazzolla, Terry Riley, Radamés Gnattali, Marlos Nobre, Nikita Koshkin, Roland Dyens, Leo Brouwer and Francisco Mignone. 

The Assads' repertoire includes original compositions written by Grammy award-winner Sérgio, classical folk and jazz music, various Latin American musical styles and classical repertoire. Transcriptions of the great baroque keyboard literature by Bach, Rameau and Scarlatti as well as arrangements of works by such diverse personalities as Gershwin, Ginastera and Debussy make her touring programs a compelling blend of styles, eras and cultures.  

In a ceremony in June 2015, the Guitar Foundation of America honored Sérgio and Odair Assad with the Artistic Achievement Award for their monumental contributions to the development of the art and life of the classical guitar.